End of the line: Mini-train ride closes after storm damage

SPRINGFIELD, MO - For more than two decades, little trains delivered a lot of smiles to big crowds west of town. 

Dave Holberg and his late wife, Vergie, built the miniature Joplin & Springfield Railway in Greene County by hand.  

“It was just the pleasure of doing something,” David stated. “And we had some fun with it…enjoyed having the people out.”

Dozens of volunteers spent their time working on the railroad. They provided close to 100,000 rides in the summer and fall each year. Tickets were always free.  

While it was fun for the riders, the miniature railroad made an impact on a lot of lives in the community, including Maria Harless and her son, Trenton Bland.

“Trenton wasn't supposed to be here at 25 because of his medical condition. And so when he was getting ready to have that milestone birthday, I got a hold of the family and they graciously allowed us to have Trenton's I'm 25 and still alive party.”

The volunteers and their trains weathered a lot over the years, from the ice storm that damaged the property in 2007 to the pandemic, which kept riders at home. But thunderstorms over the past summer have led to the end of the line.  

Carla Holberg, David’s daughter and a longtime volunteer, explained, “It did tear up the track a lot. The trees were ripped up. The track totally pulled some literally out of the ground.”

The trains have been trucked off to another attraction in Indiana, the tracks were dismantled, and now only a gravel path into the woods remains.  

Volunteers and supporters gathered last week to reminisce and call it a day for the final time. 

“I just hope everybody that came out over the years enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed giving them the rides,” said volunteer Bonnie Symons.

They say their goals of making lasting friendships and great memories have been accomplished.  

“You know, if we were younger, we probably just stuck it out,” David Holberg said.  “I hope they had fun. I sure did.”